Milwaukee Barons comes to mind one playing into the motorcycle culture but also the big Germanic history of the city.
Louisville could be something like the Coopers, referencing the art of barrel making which goes into making that famous Kentucky Bourbon.
I want to try to start making concepts but I don't know where to start. I want to either do Hockey or Soccer to start. Maybe do an Alternate Universe thing where Hockey is the most popular sport and the World cup of Hockey is more like the soccer world cup.